Some tailgaters say a difference in the home game tailgating atmosphere can be felt at the LSU Parade Ground without the assembly of Greek Life and student organizations.
Following the death of Maxwell Gruver, the University suspended a series of Greek Life events, including Greek Life and student organization tailgating on the LSU Parade Ground for the home football game against Syracuse University on Sept. 23.
Marketing senior Destin Tate has been tailgating since his freshman year with a group of friends.
“Obviously, it’s going to be a lot different because student [organizations] can’t come together and do their thing because one student [organization] decided to go a little too far,” Tate said. “It kind of sucks, but somebody died, so I somewhat understand it, but at the same time, it’s not really legal to tell people they can’t come together to do stuff.”
University alumnus Adam Fisher has been tailgating at the parade ground for almost six years.
“It’s definitely not as live,” Fisher said. “It’s not as entertaining, but I think it’s a little bit more calm and relaxing. I think they’re a big part of the tailgate atmosphere and they bring a lot of people and morale to the Parade Grounds.”
Alex Strader, who graduated from the University in 2011, said he tailgates with a group of friends, and this is their first year setting up their own tailgate.
“It’s pretty dead this week without student life and mainly the Greek tailgates on the other side of the Parade Grounds,” Strader said. “I’ve been at least walking by or coming by the Parade Grounds for years and it’s usually a pretty active place, but between the Greeks not being here, hot weather and a big loss last week, it’s pretty quiet.”
Tailgater Jeffrey Danielson has participated in home game tailgating since 2008. This is his first year setting up his own tailgate, he said.
“It’s a little early to tell, but obviously there’s a lot less tents going up,” Danielson said. “Those guys bring a lot of energy. It’s definitely going to be a little more quiet. But we’re here, we’re on campus, LSU’s playing football, we’re going to have a good time.”
Biological engineering senior Katie Render and civil engineering senior Nicholas Dupuy have been setting up their own tailgate for the past two years with their friends.
“There’s definitely less people here,” Render said. “I don’t know if that depends on the type of game it is. It’s not the first game of the year, but it definitely seem like it’s less people running around. It’s a little less chaotic.”
University alumnus Carson McCord said he has been tailgating on the Parade Ground since he was eight or nine years old. He said he feels the increased security may be appropriate following the fight on the Parade Ground before the Chattanooga home football game Sept. 9 and the death of Gruver.
“I know everybody catches a bad rap because two weeks ago they had a big fight,” McCord said. “I think it’s good that everybody reiterates that kid wasn’t an LSU student. It’s not meant to be malicious. Everybody is out here just trying to have a good time, just kind of mellow out right before the game. Other than that, it is a good time. You can see they have a lot of police out today. They’re probably going to be really strict because of everything that’s happened, especially this past weekend with the student dying, and rightfully so, but I think everybody just needs to take a beat, maybe have some food, have a beer, and remember what LSU’s all about.”
Student organization tailgating will resume Sept. 30 under new Student Organization Tailgating Procedures issued by the University.
